Cleveland Indians got the ball rolling on a wild off-season in Major League Baseball
Published: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 11:26 PM Updated: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 11:51 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A wild winter featuring, among other things, departing icons, big trades, bank-busting free-agent signings, managerial changes, foreign imports, league switching, peacemaking, positive PED testing, identity fraud, role reversal and the rise of the mystery team was started by an organization whose recent off-season activities have been as conservative as your father's old wing tips.
Yeah, that would be the starch-collared, buttoned-down Indians.
They started the winter wackiness on Oct. 31 with the first trade of the off-season. General Manager Chris Antonetti acquired 17-game loser Derek Lowe from Atlanta for minor-league left-hander Chris Jones. The Braves, in a hurry to send Lowe packing, picked up $10 million of the $15 million he was due to earn in 2012.
The Indians, who open spring training Monday, continued to make moves on the fringe of the frenzy. They were even caught with mouths agape when it was revealed in January that their own Fausto Carmona was really Roberto Hernandez Heredia. Still, the baseball drums of winter beat loudest in MLB's other outposts.
Surprise Team No. 1 lured St. Louis icon Albert Pujols from the banks of the Mississippi River to the bright lights of Hollywood. The Los Angeles Angels came out of the shadows at the winter meetings in December to sign Pujols to a 10-year, $254 million contract. Pujols had delivered two World Series titles to the Cardinals in the past six years, but it appears Stan Musial's statue will still be the focal point for the Redbird faithful outside new Busch Stadium.
The Angels, tired of watching Texas rule the American League West, then added left-hander C.J. Wilson for five years and $77.5 million. Wilson helped the Rangers reach the World Series the past two years, losing both.
How did the Rangers respond? A few weeks before they hired a new sobriety coach to keep Josh Hamilton clean, they signed Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish. All it took was a cool $111 million -- $51.7 million to win the right to negotiate with Darvish and a six-year, $60 million deal to get him signed.
Mystery team No. 2 waited until late January to reveal itself. With the market stagnant for the big bat of the big-all-over Prince Fielder, agent Scott Boras proved when he says there's a mystery team involved in the bidding, there just might be. Boras turned to his favorite Motor City ATM, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, to secure a nine-year, $214 million deal for Fielder.
Prince's father, Cecil, is one of four men to clear the left-field roof at old Tiger Stadium. Prince, a left-handed hitter as opposed to his father, will be working at Comerica Park. It is not a great place for a right-handed hitter -- even though they moved in the left-field fence -- but Prince should have no trouble clearing the right-field fence.
The arrival of Fielder means AL batting champ Miguel Cabrera could move to third base -- all 270 or so pounds of him. Cabrera has reportedly lost about 25 pounds over the winter, but even at 250, it seems like a stretch to put him at the hot corner when all he has to do is DH, since Victor Martinez is expected to miss the entire season following surgery on his left knee.
The Marlins weren't a mystery team, but what they did this winter was totally out of character. Still, it was easy to see they were up to something.
They changed their name from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins. They changed their manager, hiring Ozzie Guillen after he left the White Sox right before the end of last season. Then they drastically changed their $57 million payroll by signing free agents shortstop Jose Reyes (six years, $106 million), left-hander Mark Buehrle (four years, $58 million) and closer Heath Bell (three years, $27 million).
The spending spree was fueled by the projected revenues of their new ballpark. The Marlins supposedly have so much money, they offered Pujols more money than the Angels.
In Milwaukee, the resurgent Brewers suffered a double-whammy. Not only did they lose Fielder to Detroit, but National League MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for an elevated level of testosterone and faces a 50-game suspension at the start of the season.
Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin knew Fielder was gone and signed free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez to help steady the offense. Braun reportedly was informed about his positive test during the Brewers' playoff run.
Commissioner Bud Selig, who calls Milwaukee home, oversaw the signing of a new basic agreement in December that will give MLB 21 straight years of labor peace. In an otherwise unpredictable winter, the agreement was the safest bet going. The owners and players almost killed the sport back in 1994, and they have been making nice with each other ever since.
Selig, 76, helped provide the one other bit of off-season normalcy when he ignored his approaching retirement at the end of this season and accepted a two-year extension from the owners. No one really believes Selig will ever retire, especially his wife, Sue.
Jim Crane bought the last-place Houston Astros for $610 million. It would have been $680 million, but MLB gave him a discount for agreeing to move the team to the American League in 2013 to form two 15-team leagues. Selig says there's still a chance that an extra wild-card team will be added to each league this season. If not, it will be in place when the Astros debut in the junior circuit.
Crane had a tough time getting approval from MLB's owners, mostly because they did such a poor job of investigating Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. If not for a nasty divorce, McCourt would probably still be bilking the Dodgers of millions. As it is, billionaire buyers have lined up by the truckload to bleed Dodger Blue. McCourt is expected to leave the grand old game richer than when he entered.
The biggest news on the managerial front was the firing of Terry Francona in Boston and the protracted hiring of Bobby Valentine to replace him. On the heels of Francona's dismissal came GM Theo Epstein's exit to try to turn around another lost cause -- the Chicago Cubs. Two more things before we leave Boston -- the big-money Red Sox hardly spent a dime this winter and, if you have a spare moment, send a good thought to Rick Jameyson, former athletic trainer for the Indians.
Jameyson took the head athletic trainer's job with Boston, which undoubtedly involves cutting off the off-duty pitchers' in-game pipeline of fried chicken and beer to the clubhouse that helped push Francona out the door. Lots of luck, Rick.
Robin Ventura could use some luck as well. Ventura, GM Kenny Williams' surprise choice to succeed Guillen as manager of the White Sox, has never managed at any level. And he still has Adam Dunn and Alex Rios on the roster.
The Yankees spent much of the winter treading the same water as the Red Sox, until GM Brian Cashman turned a shaky rotation into a team strength on Friday the 13th (Jan. 13). He acquired impressive young right-hander Michael Pineda from Seattle and signed veteran Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $12 million deal.
It's nice to know some things always revert to form.
Which brings us to surprise team No. 3. GM Billy Beane spent most of the winter doing what he usually does -- tearing down the A's and starting over. He traded starters Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez and closer Andrew Bailey for a long line of prospects. Then he swept in, just days before spring training camps opened, and signed Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year, $36 million contract.
It was speculated Cespedes might be the A's star attraction should they ever move to San Jose, Calif., and build a new ballpark. Owner Lewis Wolff said that probably wouldn't happen until at least 2016. Cespedes, however, will be a free agent after 2015. Maybe it will all be explained in Moneyball II.
One more thing. Orlando Cabrera and Jorge Posada, with 3,720 hits between them, announced their retirements. Omar Vizquel, with 2,841 hits of his own, will go to camp with Toronto on a minor-league deal at the age of 44.
Re: Articles
1337Looks like Hafner is staying with the Tribe this year.
Yankees send AJ Burnett to Pirates for minor-league players
By Pete Caldera / The Hackensack N.J. Record
Saturday, February 18, 2012 -
A.J. Burnett once was a promising part of a winter windfall of free-agent signings by the Yankees. Now, he’s on his way to the Pirates after two straight miserable seasons in the Bronx.
At least, Burnett takes his 2009 World Series ring with him.
On Friday afternoon, the Yankees agreed in principle to a trade that sends Burnett to Pittsburgh in exchange for two low level minor league players. Additionally, the Yankees receive $13 million in relief from the veteran right-hander’s remaining $30.375 million salary through 2013.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed the deal pending authorization from the commissioner’s office due to the money exchange. Burnett also has to pass a physical.
With their savings, the Yankees are expected to quickly pursue the signing of a left-handed designated hitter – with Raul Ibanez high on their list. The Yankees are also said to remain interested in re-signing lefty-hitting Eric Chavez as a primary backup for Alex Rodriguez.
The Pirates will pay Burnett $5 million this season and $8 million next year, while the Yankees will pay roughly $9.5 million of Burnett’s salary this season and $8.5 million next year.
Due to the parameters of Burnett’s original $82.5 million contract, the Yankees already have paid him $2.625 million of his $16.5 million annual salary.
Burnett, 35, had a right to veto deals to 10 clubs with his limited no-trade clause. That list was heavy with West Coast clubs, due to the Burnett family’s desire to remain in the East.
During the drawn-out process to rid Burnett from the roster, the Yankees’ talks with the Angels were thwarted by the right-hander’s veto power. The Yankees were interested in exchanging Burnett for Bobby Abreu, an ex-Yankee who might have filled the lefty DH vacancy.
Former Yankees Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui remain on the free-agent market, though the Yanks’ focus has been on Ibanez.
With a surplus of starters – thanks to the trade for Michael Pineda and the signing of free-agent Hiroki Kuroda – the Yankees were motivated to deal Burnett. With pitchers and catchers due to report Sunday, the Yankees still have six starters for five spots.
Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia are expected to battle for that final slot in spring training.
In exchange for Burnett, the Yankees will acquire right-handed reliever Diego Moreno and lefty-hitting outfielder Exicardo Cayones, both from Venezuela.
Moreno, 25, pitched in 41 games combined at Class A and AA last year, going 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA. He had 45 strikeouts in 44� innings with 18 walks.
Cayones, 20, batted .228 with no home runs and 12 RBI in 38 games last year at Class A.
Though it ended badly in the Bronx, Burnett still will be remembered for his 2009 World Series Game 2 victory against the Phillies after CC Sabathia was defeated by Cliff Lee in the opener.
Signed as a free agent, along with Sabathia and Mark Teixeira in the winter of 2008, Burnett went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA as the Yankees won their 27th world championship. But in the two seasons since, Burnett has combined for a 21-26 record and a 5.20 ERA.
Ever since the Yanks upgraded their rotation, Burnett has been braced for a trade.
"He has no concerns and understands the business and is strictly focusing on pitching in 2012, regardless of who it’s for," said Darek Braunecker, Burnett’s agent, in a recent email to the Record.
Yankees send AJ Burnett to Pirates for minor-league players
By Pete Caldera / The Hackensack N.J. Record
Saturday, February 18, 2012 -
A.J. Burnett once was a promising part of a winter windfall of free-agent signings by the Yankees. Now, he’s on his way to the Pirates after two straight miserable seasons in the Bronx.
At least, Burnett takes his 2009 World Series ring with him.
On Friday afternoon, the Yankees agreed in principle to a trade that sends Burnett to Pittsburgh in exchange for two low level minor league players. Additionally, the Yankees receive $13 million in relief from the veteran right-hander’s remaining $30.375 million salary through 2013.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed the deal pending authorization from the commissioner’s office due to the money exchange. Burnett also has to pass a physical.
With their savings, the Yankees are expected to quickly pursue the signing of a left-handed designated hitter – with Raul Ibanez high on their list. The Yankees are also said to remain interested in re-signing lefty-hitting Eric Chavez as a primary backup for Alex Rodriguez.
The Pirates will pay Burnett $5 million this season and $8 million next year, while the Yankees will pay roughly $9.5 million of Burnett’s salary this season and $8.5 million next year.
Due to the parameters of Burnett’s original $82.5 million contract, the Yankees already have paid him $2.625 million of his $16.5 million annual salary.
Burnett, 35, had a right to veto deals to 10 clubs with his limited no-trade clause. That list was heavy with West Coast clubs, due to the Burnett family’s desire to remain in the East.
During the drawn-out process to rid Burnett from the roster, the Yankees’ talks with the Angels were thwarted by the right-hander’s veto power. The Yankees were interested in exchanging Burnett for Bobby Abreu, an ex-Yankee who might have filled the lefty DH vacancy.
Former Yankees Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui remain on the free-agent market, though the Yanks’ focus has been on Ibanez.
With a surplus of starters – thanks to the trade for Michael Pineda and the signing of free-agent Hiroki Kuroda – the Yankees were motivated to deal Burnett. With pitchers and catchers due to report Sunday, the Yankees still have six starters for five spots.
Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia are expected to battle for that final slot in spring training.
In exchange for Burnett, the Yankees will acquire right-handed reliever Diego Moreno and lefty-hitting outfielder Exicardo Cayones, both from Venezuela.
Moreno, 25, pitched in 41 games combined at Class A and AA last year, going 2-4 with a 3.63 ERA. He had 45 strikeouts in 44� innings with 18 walks.
Cayones, 20, batted .228 with no home runs and 12 RBI in 38 games last year at Class A.
Though it ended badly in the Bronx, Burnett still will be remembered for his 2009 World Series Game 2 victory against the Phillies after CC Sabathia was defeated by Cliff Lee in the opener.
Signed as a free agent, along with Sabathia and Mark Teixeira in the winter of 2008, Burnett went 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA as the Yankees won their 27th world championship. But in the two seasons since, Burnett has combined for a 21-26 record and a 5.20 ERA.
Ever since the Yanks upgraded their rotation, Burnett has been braced for a trade.
"He has no concerns and understands the business and is strictly focusing on pitching in 2012, regardless of who it’s for," said Darek Braunecker, Burnett’s agent, in a recent email to the Record.
Re: Articles
1338If the Yankees won't take Hafner's salary I can't imagine anyone else will. Although I suppose some AL team will pick him in July or August when the salary is nearly gone and a LH pinch hitter could come in handy down the stretch. Assuming, of course, that he is marginally healthy at the time.
Re: Articles
1340Hafner has a 2.75 buyout clause for the 2013 season so he would have to have a great season for someone to want him.
Re: Articles
1341Jon Garland will take his physical on Monday, reports Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland-Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Garland agreed to a minor league deal with the Indians earlier this week, but the physical is far from routine after shoulder surgery.
Re: Articles
1342Here's 10 questions the Cleveland Indians hope to resolve during spring training 2012
Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8:29 PM Updated: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8:29 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Not to jinx anything, but it has been a mild winter. If there's a blizzard in mid-April, feel free to throw a snowball at the press box at Progressive Field. Those who live on the shores of Lake Erie should know better than to question the snow machine just off the north coast.
Still, the signs of spring are all around. The robins are back. So are the mourning doves. And the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has already arrived in mailboxes across the country. In other words, it's time for spring training and another edition of the 10 key issues facing the Indians as they arrive in the Arizona desert.
The Indians, who open camp Monday in Goodyear, Ariz., finished second in the AL Central last year at 80-82. They were tied or alone in first place for 95 days. The division-champion Tigers were in first for only 82 days, but they were the right 82. While the Indians raced to a 30-15 start, the Tigers ran them down by winning 44 of their last 65.
Can the Indians prevent that from happening again? Can they make another 11-game improvement in the win column as they did from 2010 to 2011? If and when Fausto Carmona rejoins the Indians are you ever really going to be able to call him Roberto Hernandez without a perplexed look on your face?
So many questions, but spring training isn't six weeks long by accident. On to the issues.
No. 1. How can the Indians improve their offense?
The facts: They finished ninth in the American League last year with 704 runs, an average of 4.4 per game. The AL champion Texas Rangers scored 855 runs for a 5.3 average. The Tigers scored 787.
Solution: Take Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner out of the equation. Their history of injuries make them undependable. Any improvement from the offense must start with the four-headed monster of Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Kipnis.
No. 2. How strong will the starting rotation be?
The facts: Hernandez's visa problems and the season-ending elbow injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Hector Rondon have hurt the Indians' depth. The trades for Derek Lowe and Kevin Slowey, along with the anticipated signing of Jon Garland, not to mention the pursuit of Edwin Jackson, A.J. Burnett and others, suggest a real concern by GM Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta.
Solution: A healthy and productive season by Ubaldo Jimenez would go a long way to improve a rotation that ranked 10th in the AL in ERA (4.51) and innings pitched (961 1/3). Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin must build on their 12-win season from 2011 and Lowe cannot resemble the 17-game loser from Atlanta. Hernandez, Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, David Huff and Scott Barnes should give Acta enough arms to cover the fifth spot.
No. 3. Is the bullpen operating on borrowed time?
The facts: Over the last 1 1/2 seasons, The Bullpen Mafia is 38-28 with 56 saves and a 3.46 ERA (282 earned runs in 732 2/3 innings). Bullpens can be the most volatile part of a ballclub, celebrated in victory, scorned in defeat.
The solution: The pen looks solid through the first five relievers -- closer Chris Perez, lefties Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez and righties Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano. There are young relievers in the pipeline and Antonetti invited veterans Dan Wheeler, Chris Ray, Jeremy Accardo, Robinson Tejeda and Chris Seddon to camp just in case.
No. 4. Will the Indians benefit if Commissioner Bud Selig adds a second wild-card team to each league this season?
The facts: In theory, yes. In reality, no.
Adding a second wild card all but guarantees that Boston or New York would earn it in the AL East and Texas or the Angels in the AL West. The AL Central has produced just one wild card team, the 2006 Tigers.
Solution: Win the division.
No. 5. The Indians must improve their record against divisional foes.
The facts: The Tribe was 6-12 vs. Detroit, 7-11 against Chicago, 12-6 vs. Kansas City and 11-7 against Minnesota. The Indians went 36-36 in the Central overall. The Tigers were 50-22.
Solution: The Tigers last year hit .300 against Indians pitching. The Indians hit .224 against the Tigers. No further explanation is needed.
No. 6. Will the infield defense support a starting rotation that features three, and perhaps four, ground-ball pitchers?
The facts: Masterson, Lowe and Jimenez throw a lot of ground balls. The grounders will increase if Hernandez rejoins the team. There are going to be errors if Lonnie Chisenhall starts at third and Kipnis at second. They're young players who have converted from other positions. Cabrera's range decreased last year at short in the second half.
Solution: First baseman Casey Kotchman will steady the defense. Jack Hannahan can do the same depending on how much time he gets at third base. If Chisenhall and Kipnis hit, the pitching staff will have to endure the errors because they're going to stay in the lineup.
No. 7. Can the Indians stay healthy?
The facts: They used the disabled list 22 times last year. They lost their starting outfield, DH, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman and three of their starting pitchers for extended periods of time. The Twins were the only team in the AL that used the DL more.
Solution: There's not much a team can do to prevent injuries such as Michael Brantley's broken right hamate bone and Choo's broken left thumb. Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff and his staff did research the oblique and hamstring issues the Indians had last year.
No. 8. What can be expected from Hafner, who is in the last year of the biggest contract ever given to an Indians player?
The facts: Hafner has averaged 91 games, 12 homers and 45 RBI per season since 2007. He's been on the disabled list at least once every year over the last four seasons. There's no reason to think that will change in 2012.
Solution: Accept it. Hafner is still a good hitter against right-handers, .302 with nine homers and 32 RBI last year. He's dangerous at Progressive Field, hitting .288 (45-for-156) and .309 (63-for-204) in the last two seasons, respectively.
No. 9. Is another fast start essential for the Indians to contend?
The facts: The Indians went 18-8 in April and were 30-15 on May 23 to lead the AL Central by seven games. From May 24 through the end of the season, the Tribe went 50-67.
Solution: Providing they can stay healthy, who would turn down another 30-15 start? Acta, however, would probably take his chances if the Indians substituted the joy ride of April and May for more consistent play from month to month.
No. 10. What does Santana have to do to hit between .280 and .300?
The facts: Santana hit .239 (132-for-552) last year. Forty-eight percent of his hits went for extra bases -- 35 doubles, two triples and 27 homers. The 27 homers set a record by an Indians' switch-hitter.
Solution: Santana has to improve against right-handers. Last year, he hit .318 (57-for-179) against lefties and .201 (75-for-373) against righties. He's capable of making the adjustment because in 2010 he hit .314 (32-for-102) against righties and .146 (7-for-48) against lefties.
The acquisition of Kotchman should let Santana focus more on catching instead of bouncing between the two positions. If Santana can raise his average to .280 or above, combined with his plate discipline (97 walks last year), he could be an MVP-type player.
Published: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8:29 PM Updated: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8:29 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Not to jinx anything, but it has been a mild winter. If there's a blizzard in mid-April, feel free to throw a snowball at the press box at Progressive Field. Those who live on the shores of Lake Erie should know better than to question the snow machine just off the north coast.
Still, the signs of spring are all around. The robins are back. So are the mourning doves. And the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has already arrived in mailboxes across the country. In other words, it's time for spring training and another edition of the 10 key issues facing the Indians as they arrive in the Arizona desert.
The Indians, who open camp Monday in Goodyear, Ariz., finished second in the AL Central last year at 80-82. They were tied or alone in first place for 95 days. The division-champion Tigers were in first for only 82 days, but they were the right 82. While the Indians raced to a 30-15 start, the Tigers ran them down by winning 44 of their last 65.
Can the Indians prevent that from happening again? Can they make another 11-game improvement in the win column as they did from 2010 to 2011? If and when Fausto Carmona rejoins the Indians are you ever really going to be able to call him Roberto Hernandez without a perplexed look on your face?
So many questions, but spring training isn't six weeks long by accident. On to the issues.
No. 1. How can the Indians improve their offense?
The facts: They finished ninth in the American League last year with 704 runs, an average of 4.4 per game. The AL champion Texas Rangers scored 855 runs for a 5.3 average. The Tigers scored 787.
Solution: Take Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner out of the equation. Their history of injuries make them undependable. Any improvement from the offense must start with the four-headed monster of Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Kipnis.
No. 2. How strong will the starting rotation be?
The facts: Hernandez's visa problems and the season-ending elbow injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Hector Rondon have hurt the Indians' depth. The trades for Derek Lowe and Kevin Slowey, along with the anticipated signing of Jon Garland, not to mention the pursuit of Edwin Jackson, A.J. Burnett and others, suggest a real concern by GM Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta.
Solution: A healthy and productive season by Ubaldo Jimenez would go a long way to improve a rotation that ranked 10th in the AL in ERA (4.51) and innings pitched (961 1/3). Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin must build on their 12-win season from 2011 and Lowe cannot resemble the 17-game loser from Atlanta. Hernandez, Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, David Huff and Scott Barnes should give Acta enough arms to cover the fifth spot.
No. 3. Is the bullpen operating on borrowed time?
The facts: Over the last 1 1/2 seasons, The Bullpen Mafia is 38-28 with 56 saves and a 3.46 ERA (282 earned runs in 732 2/3 innings). Bullpens can be the most volatile part of a ballclub, celebrated in victory, scorned in defeat.
The solution: The pen looks solid through the first five relievers -- closer Chris Perez, lefties Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez and righties Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano. There are young relievers in the pipeline and Antonetti invited veterans Dan Wheeler, Chris Ray, Jeremy Accardo, Robinson Tejeda and Chris Seddon to camp just in case.
No. 4. Will the Indians benefit if Commissioner Bud Selig adds a second wild-card team to each league this season?
The facts: In theory, yes. In reality, no.
Adding a second wild card all but guarantees that Boston or New York would earn it in the AL East and Texas or the Angels in the AL West. The AL Central has produced just one wild card team, the 2006 Tigers.
Solution: Win the division.
No. 5. The Indians must improve their record against divisional foes.
The facts: The Tribe was 6-12 vs. Detroit, 7-11 against Chicago, 12-6 vs. Kansas City and 11-7 against Minnesota. The Indians went 36-36 in the Central overall. The Tigers were 50-22.
Solution: The Tigers last year hit .300 against Indians pitching. The Indians hit .224 against the Tigers. No further explanation is needed.
No. 6. Will the infield defense support a starting rotation that features three, and perhaps four, ground-ball pitchers?
The facts: Masterson, Lowe and Jimenez throw a lot of ground balls. The grounders will increase if Hernandez rejoins the team. There are going to be errors if Lonnie Chisenhall starts at third and Kipnis at second. They're young players who have converted from other positions. Cabrera's range decreased last year at short in the second half.
Solution: First baseman Casey Kotchman will steady the defense. Jack Hannahan can do the same depending on how much time he gets at third base. If Chisenhall and Kipnis hit, the pitching staff will have to endure the errors because they're going to stay in the lineup.
No. 7. Can the Indians stay healthy?
The facts: They used the disabled list 22 times last year. They lost their starting outfield, DH, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman and three of their starting pitchers for extended periods of time. The Twins were the only team in the AL that used the DL more.
Solution: There's not much a team can do to prevent injuries such as Michael Brantley's broken right hamate bone and Choo's broken left thumb. Head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff and his staff did research the oblique and hamstring issues the Indians had last year.
No. 8. What can be expected from Hafner, who is in the last year of the biggest contract ever given to an Indians player?
The facts: Hafner has averaged 91 games, 12 homers and 45 RBI per season since 2007. He's been on the disabled list at least once every year over the last four seasons. There's no reason to think that will change in 2012.
Solution: Accept it. Hafner is still a good hitter against right-handers, .302 with nine homers and 32 RBI last year. He's dangerous at Progressive Field, hitting .288 (45-for-156) and .309 (63-for-204) in the last two seasons, respectively.
No. 9. Is another fast start essential for the Indians to contend?
The facts: The Indians went 18-8 in April and were 30-15 on May 23 to lead the AL Central by seven games. From May 24 through the end of the season, the Tribe went 50-67.
Solution: Providing they can stay healthy, who would turn down another 30-15 start? Acta, however, would probably take his chances if the Indians substituted the joy ride of April and May for more consistent play from month to month.
No. 10. What does Santana have to do to hit between .280 and .300?
The facts: Santana hit .239 (132-for-552) last year. Forty-eight percent of his hits went for extra bases -- 35 doubles, two triples and 27 homers. The 27 homers set a record by an Indians' switch-hitter.
Solution: Santana has to improve against right-handers. Last year, he hit .318 (57-for-179) against lefties and .201 (75-for-373) against righties. He's capable of making the adjustment because in 2010 he hit .314 (32-for-102) against righties and .146 (7-for-48) against lefties.
The acquisition of Kotchman should let Santana focus more on catching instead of bouncing between the two positions. If Santana can raise his average to .280 or above, combined with his plate discipline (97 walks last year), he could be an MVP-type player.
Re: Articles
1343Pluto:
About the Indians...
1. The Indians insist there will be a real competition between Jack Hannahan and Lonnie Chisenhall at third base. They sound sincere, and perhaps that is the case. Or perhaps they want the 23-year-old Chisenhall not to take anything for granted. He hit .255 (.699 OPS) with seven homers and 22 RBI in 212 at-bats. Nothing sensational there, but he finished hitting .290 (29-of-100) with six homers and 15 RBI in his final 100 at-bats.
2. The case for Hannahan comes down to one word -- great defense. OK, that's two words. Saying "defense" when it comes to Hannahan is almost an insult, given how brilliantly he performed with the glove. He batted .250 (.719 OPS) with eight homers and 40 RBI in 320 at-bats, so he was decent at the plate.
3. Now, the new baseball math comes into play as the Tribe looks at third base. If Roberto Hernandez (Carmona) is in the rotation, they will have three of the top four pitchers allowing ground balls last season, according to Jonah Keri of grantland.com. Derek Lowe, Justin Masterson and Hernandez all had ground-ball rates of at least 55 percent, with Lowe at 59 percent. Ubaldo Jimenez was at 47 percent, and is over 50 for his career.
4. So the Indians may have four starters who will wear out the infielders. The Indians realize they must improve the defense, which was horrible at first, bad at second, decent at short and very good at third with Hannahan (five errors in 104 games). Chisenhall had 10 errors in 58 games, an alarming rate for a third baseman.
5. Casey Kotchman is a massive upgrade at first, where the Indians had 12 errors in 2011. Kotchman has only 11 in his big-league career and is known for his ability to dig throws out of the dirt. The Tribe believes converted outfielder Jason Kipnis has the athleticism to be acceptable at second, but he had six errors in 36 games last season. He'll open at second unless he has a spring collapse.
6. The stat gurus hate Asdrubal Cabrera at short because of his lack of range, but the man made only 15 errors in 151 games and seemed to be above average. The Indians have settled on Kipnis and Cabrera up the middle, and they are excited to see what Kotchman can do to help the defense at first.
7. But at third? At the very least, they can platoon Chisenhall and Hannahan. Yes, both are lefty hitters, but Hannahan batted .296 vs. lefties last season. They also can play Hannahan at third when Lowe (59 percent ground-ball rate) and Masterson (55 percent) pitch, with Chisenhall at third in the other games. Projected fourth starter Josh Tomlin (38 percent) is a fly ball pitcher, as is possible fifth starter Kevin Slowey (31 percent).
8. If Chisenhall has a poor spring, the Indians would not hesitate to send him to the minors. He's played only 66 games at the Class AAA level. But the fact is that Chisenhall and Kipnis are two keys to the Tribe's future. Part of last season was about finding the right time to expose them to the majors. If the Indians do expect to contend, they need both of this young infielders to produce, or scoring runs will be a huge problem in 2012.
About the Indians...
1. The Indians insist there will be a real competition between Jack Hannahan and Lonnie Chisenhall at third base. They sound sincere, and perhaps that is the case. Or perhaps they want the 23-year-old Chisenhall not to take anything for granted. He hit .255 (.699 OPS) with seven homers and 22 RBI in 212 at-bats. Nothing sensational there, but he finished hitting .290 (29-of-100) with six homers and 15 RBI in his final 100 at-bats.
2. The case for Hannahan comes down to one word -- great defense. OK, that's two words. Saying "defense" when it comes to Hannahan is almost an insult, given how brilliantly he performed with the glove. He batted .250 (.719 OPS) with eight homers and 40 RBI in 320 at-bats, so he was decent at the plate.
3. Now, the new baseball math comes into play as the Tribe looks at third base. If Roberto Hernandez (Carmona) is in the rotation, they will have three of the top four pitchers allowing ground balls last season, according to Jonah Keri of grantland.com. Derek Lowe, Justin Masterson and Hernandez all had ground-ball rates of at least 55 percent, with Lowe at 59 percent. Ubaldo Jimenez was at 47 percent, and is over 50 for his career.
4. So the Indians may have four starters who will wear out the infielders. The Indians realize they must improve the defense, which was horrible at first, bad at second, decent at short and very good at third with Hannahan (five errors in 104 games). Chisenhall had 10 errors in 58 games, an alarming rate for a third baseman.
5. Casey Kotchman is a massive upgrade at first, where the Indians had 12 errors in 2011. Kotchman has only 11 in his big-league career and is known for his ability to dig throws out of the dirt. The Tribe believes converted outfielder Jason Kipnis has the athleticism to be acceptable at second, but he had six errors in 36 games last season. He'll open at second unless he has a spring collapse.
6. The stat gurus hate Asdrubal Cabrera at short because of his lack of range, but the man made only 15 errors in 151 games and seemed to be above average. The Indians have settled on Kipnis and Cabrera up the middle, and they are excited to see what Kotchman can do to help the defense at first.
7. But at third? At the very least, they can platoon Chisenhall and Hannahan. Yes, both are lefty hitters, but Hannahan batted .296 vs. lefties last season. They also can play Hannahan at third when Lowe (59 percent ground-ball rate) and Masterson (55 percent) pitch, with Chisenhall at third in the other games. Projected fourth starter Josh Tomlin (38 percent) is a fly ball pitcher, as is possible fifth starter Kevin Slowey (31 percent).
8. If Chisenhall has a poor spring, the Indians would not hesitate to send him to the minors. He's played only 66 games at the Class AAA level. But the fact is that Chisenhall and Kipnis are two keys to the Tribe's future. Part of last season was about finding the right time to expose them to the majors. If the Indians do expect to contend, they need both of this young infielders to produce, or scoring runs will be a huge problem in 2012.
Re: Articles
1344After a surprising 2011, Cleveland Indians are seeking more unexpected pleasures when 2012 camp opens Monday
Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 5:43 PM Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 5:44 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It is the unknown that makes the season intriguing for teams such as the Indians. They are confined to operating on the fringe of free agency. When it comes to trades, unless forced into action by ownership's balance sheet, they must prod and push to try and find the most value.
Yet even when payroll determines so much in the big leagues before one game is even played, it cannot mandate everything. There is always the unexpected, lurking around the next corner, that can change the course of a season. For instance:
• What if Jon Garland, who takes his physical for the Indians on Monday, shows his right shoulder is recovered from rotator cuff surgery and is able to pitch as he did in 2010 when he went 14-12 for San Diego? Not a bad arm to slide into a rotation of Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe, right? To say nothing of Kevin Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, David Huff and Scott Barnes waiting behind them.
Think that couldn't happen with Garland or another of the over 60 players the Indians have invited to camp? Don't bet on it. It's happens every spring.
In fact, it happened last year -- a lot.
"Rewind to a year ago," said GM Chris Antonetti. "Justin Masterson, people were wondering if he was a starter or reliever. Well, a year later he's coming off one of the top 15 seasons for a starting pitcher in the American League."
Masterson went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 games, including 34 starts. He threw a career-high 216 innings, leading the Indians with 158 strikeouts. He allowed 11 homers, the second fewest per nine innings in the American League.
It didn't stop there.
"Vinnie Pestano, I don't think anyone was writing about him even having a chance to win a spot on the major-league team," said Antonetti. "He ended up being one of the best relievers in the American League."
As Yogi Berra once said, "You could look it up." Pestano, the only rookie to make the 25-man roster out of camp last year, went 1-2 with a 2.32 ERA and two saves. Among AL relievers he finished fifth in strikeouts with 84 in 62 innings. He was sixth in batting average against at .184 and 11th in appearances with 67.
When the Indians set a club record with 18 wins in April, Pestano had a 0.82 ERA.
"Carlos Santana was coming off a [left] knee injury after the 2010 season," Antonetti continued. "We all had some uncertainty to how he'd come back. He not only was very close to leading our team in plate appearances, but for a guy we asked a tremendous amount from, not only as a catcher, but hitting in the middle of the order and playing another position. He played exceptionally well."
Santana, following what many thought was a career-threatening knee injury in August of 2010 in Boston, set a club record for homers by a switch-hitter with 27. He was the first Indians catcher to hit at least 30 doubles, 25 homers and draw 90 walks in one season. He did it while bouncing between catcher and first base, a position he'd never played.
True, Santana did not hit well for average (.239) or with runners in scoring position (.223), but he did lead the team with 97 walks. A middle-of-the-order hitter with an eye like that bodes well for this season.
"Asdrubal Cabrera a year ago was coming off an injury-filled, middling season," said Antonetti. "Last year he had one of the best shortstop seasons in the American League."
Cabrera hit .273 with 32 doubles, three triples, 25 homers and 92 RBI. He had his dips and lulls as all players do, but as manager Manny Acta said, "We can slice those numbers any way we want to. At the end of the day, he hit 25 homers and 92 RBI."
• Veteran Orlando Cabrera signed a one-year, $1 million contract in February to play second base, a position he'd rarely played. For a half season, he provided energy, leadership and, most of all, confidence. He also suggested to Asdrubal Cabrera that every once in a while he should swing for the fence.
• Tomlin, the 581st player selected in the 2006 draft, went 12-7. He made 26 starts and threw 165 1/3 innings and not once did a runner attempt to steal on him.
• Shelley Duncan, 32, has played pro ball for 11 years, but only a little over two seasons in the big leagues. Last year he had a September to remember, hitting seven homers and driving in 23 runs. Two of the homers came off Justin Verlander, the AL's MVP and Cy Young winner, in the same game.
Together they helped the Indians have their most enjoyable season since 2007. Where will the unexpected come from this year?
If not Garland, how about one of the veteran relievers Antonetti has brought to camp in Dan Wheeler, Chris Ray, Robinson Tejeda, Jeremy Accardo or Chris Seddon? Is there a place for them in The Bullpen Mafia?
Can Shin-Soo Choo or Grady Sizemore have a comeback season from injury like Santana did last year? What of the flashes of promise that Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall showed last year? Was it the real thing or just heat lightning?
The unveiling begins Monday.
Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 5:43 PM Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 5:44 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It is the unknown that makes the season intriguing for teams such as the Indians. They are confined to operating on the fringe of free agency. When it comes to trades, unless forced into action by ownership's balance sheet, they must prod and push to try and find the most value.
Yet even when payroll determines so much in the big leagues before one game is even played, it cannot mandate everything. There is always the unexpected, lurking around the next corner, that can change the course of a season. For instance:
• What if Jon Garland, who takes his physical for the Indians on Monday, shows his right shoulder is recovered from rotator cuff surgery and is able to pitch as he did in 2010 when he went 14-12 for San Diego? Not a bad arm to slide into a rotation of Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe, right? To say nothing of Kevin Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, David Huff and Scott Barnes waiting behind them.
Think that couldn't happen with Garland or another of the over 60 players the Indians have invited to camp? Don't bet on it. It's happens every spring.
In fact, it happened last year -- a lot.
"Rewind to a year ago," said GM Chris Antonetti. "Justin Masterson, people were wondering if he was a starter or reliever. Well, a year later he's coming off one of the top 15 seasons for a starting pitcher in the American League."
Masterson went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 34 games, including 34 starts. He threw a career-high 216 innings, leading the Indians with 158 strikeouts. He allowed 11 homers, the second fewest per nine innings in the American League.
It didn't stop there.
"Vinnie Pestano, I don't think anyone was writing about him even having a chance to win a spot on the major-league team," said Antonetti. "He ended up being one of the best relievers in the American League."
As Yogi Berra once said, "You could look it up." Pestano, the only rookie to make the 25-man roster out of camp last year, went 1-2 with a 2.32 ERA and two saves. Among AL relievers he finished fifth in strikeouts with 84 in 62 innings. He was sixth in batting average against at .184 and 11th in appearances with 67.
When the Indians set a club record with 18 wins in April, Pestano had a 0.82 ERA.
"Carlos Santana was coming off a [left] knee injury after the 2010 season," Antonetti continued. "We all had some uncertainty to how he'd come back. He not only was very close to leading our team in plate appearances, but for a guy we asked a tremendous amount from, not only as a catcher, but hitting in the middle of the order and playing another position. He played exceptionally well."
Santana, following what many thought was a career-threatening knee injury in August of 2010 in Boston, set a club record for homers by a switch-hitter with 27. He was the first Indians catcher to hit at least 30 doubles, 25 homers and draw 90 walks in one season. He did it while bouncing between catcher and first base, a position he'd never played.
True, Santana did not hit well for average (.239) or with runners in scoring position (.223), but he did lead the team with 97 walks. A middle-of-the-order hitter with an eye like that bodes well for this season.
"Asdrubal Cabrera a year ago was coming off an injury-filled, middling season," said Antonetti. "Last year he had one of the best shortstop seasons in the American League."
Cabrera hit .273 with 32 doubles, three triples, 25 homers and 92 RBI. He had his dips and lulls as all players do, but as manager Manny Acta said, "We can slice those numbers any way we want to. At the end of the day, he hit 25 homers and 92 RBI."
• Veteran Orlando Cabrera signed a one-year, $1 million contract in February to play second base, a position he'd rarely played. For a half season, he provided energy, leadership and, most of all, confidence. He also suggested to Asdrubal Cabrera that every once in a while he should swing for the fence.
• Tomlin, the 581st player selected in the 2006 draft, went 12-7. He made 26 starts and threw 165 1/3 innings and not once did a runner attempt to steal on him.
• Shelley Duncan, 32, has played pro ball for 11 years, but only a little over two seasons in the big leagues. Last year he had a September to remember, hitting seven homers and driving in 23 runs. Two of the homers came off Justin Verlander, the AL's MVP and Cy Young winner, in the same game.
Together they helped the Indians have their most enjoyable season since 2007. Where will the unexpected come from this year?
If not Garland, how about one of the veteran relievers Antonetti has brought to camp in Dan Wheeler, Chris Ray, Robinson Tejeda, Jeremy Accardo or Chris Seddon? Is there a place for them in The Bullpen Mafia?
Can Shin-Soo Choo or Grady Sizemore have a comeback season from injury like Santana did last year? What of the flashes of promise that Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall showed last year? Was it the real thing or just heat lightning?
The unveiling begins Monday.
Re: Articles
1345Cleveland Indians' 'contention' plans revolve around Ubaldo Jimenez: Bud Shaw
Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 6:07 PM Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 6:08 PM
By Bud Shaw, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Monday, a year after the Indians claimed 95 days of squatter's rights in first place in the AL Central.
Despite a rude eviction by the Detroit Tigers, there's something to be said for holding on for that long. With this ownership in this market and this economy, the resulting optimism is not exactly an annual rite of spring.
So please set your contention timers at two years and counting. Nobody wants to hear contention for the Indians is going to be cyclical at best, but that's the reality. A lot has to go right to extend the cycle. This season will go a long way to determining the length of this one, and also the next expiration date.
The Indians spent the off-season adding some proven roster depth, brought in a new first baseman and acquired experience for their starting rotation beyond the three extra years on Roberto Hernandez' birth certificate. Yet the player who best symbolizes where they're at, where they hope to go and the narrow margin for error in reaching the postseason, isn't Casey Kotchman, Derek Lowe, Kevin Slowey or Fausto Carmona's alter ego.
Ubaldo Jimenez, whose unorthodox delivery has more moving parts than a Rube Goldberg contraption, was acquired last summer in part because the two-plus years remaining on his contract aligned so well with the contract status of other key players. If that doesn't necessarily make you feel any better about giving up Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, it's understandable. But it was a move that at least spoke to hitting the gas on chasing the postseason, and that's more engine rev than one hears out of Berea these days.
In an interview with PD Sports Insider last week, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said Jimenez' upside and years under contract "aligned" well in the context of the roster.
Translation? Jimenez is signed through 2013. Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera can become free agents then, too. The closer those two get to free agency, the less inclined they are to sign a long-term deal.
Because Jimenez was traded, he can void the club option for 2014 included in the deal he signed with the Rockies. He hasn't told the Indians he'll exercise that right. But as a guy who thought he was underpaid in Colorado, that's the expectation.
Travis Hafner's deal expires after this season. Grady Sizemore signed a one-year contract to return.
When the Indians considered trading for Jimenez, they looked ahead at the 2012 free agent market for pitchers and decided he had more to offer than anyone they could sign. The Jimenez deal is ripe for interpretation. Is it a sign the Indians would pursue a similarly bold path this summer under comparable circumstances and acquire the right-handed bat they need to match the Tigers' lineup? Or in putting Pomeranz and White in the same deal, do they lack the pieces to make a significant trade?
The bounty -- if you can call it that -- from the C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee trades is looking even more suspect in 2012, and hasn't offered many tradable commodities.
To date for Lee: two backups -- Lou Marson and Jason Donald. For Sabathia, there's Michael Brantley as a light-hitting outfielder in a corner power position. Matt LaPorta is likely headed for Triple-A on a team that covets right-handed power.
The price the Indians paid for Jimenez says they want and need him to be a Lee-Sabathia kind of starter. Antonetti won't put it in those terms, saying the Indians would like to see him become a "key contributor" in a playoff-worthy rotation.
But to think they could come out on the short end of this deal, too, could mean a shorter cycle of contention with a much higher degree of difficulty.
Published: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 6:07 PM Updated: Sunday, February 19, 2012, 6:08 PM
By Bud Shaw, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Monday, a year after the Indians claimed 95 days of squatter's rights in first place in the AL Central.
Despite a rude eviction by the Detroit Tigers, there's something to be said for holding on for that long. With this ownership in this market and this economy, the resulting optimism is not exactly an annual rite of spring.
So please set your contention timers at two years and counting. Nobody wants to hear contention for the Indians is going to be cyclical at best, but that's the reality. A lot has to go right to extend the cycle. This season will go a long way to determining the length of this one, and also the next expiration date.
The Indians spent the off-season adding some proven roster depth, brought in a new first baseman and acquired experience for their starting rotation beyond the three extra years on Roberto Hernandez' birth certificate. Yet the player who best symbolizes where they're at, where they hope to go and the narrow margin for error in reaching the postseason, isn't Casey Kotchman, Derek Lowe, Kevin Slowey or Fausto Carmona's alter ego.
Ubaldo Jimenez, whose unorthodox delivery has more moving parts than a Rube Goldberg contraption, was acquired last summer in part because the two-plus years remaining on his contract aligned so well with the contract status of other key players. If that doesn't necessarily make you feel any better about giving up Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, it's understandable. But it was a move that at least spoke to hitting the gas on chasing the postseason, and that's more engine rev than one hears out of Berea these days.
In an interview with PD Sports Insider last week, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said Jimenez' upside and years under contract "aligned" well in the context of the roster.
Translation? Jimenez is signed through 2013. Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera can become free agents then, too. The closer those two get to free agency, the less inclined they are to sign a long-term deal.
Because Jimenez was traded, he can void the club option for 2014 included in the deal he signed with the Rockies. He hasn't told the Indians he'll exercise that right. But as a guy who thought he was underpaid in Colorado, that's the expectation.
Travis Hafner's deal expires after this season. Grady Sizemore signed a one-year contract to return.
When the Indians considered trading for Jimenez, they looked ahead at the 2012 free agent market for pitchers and decided he had more to offer than anyone they could sign. The Jimenez deal is ripe for interpretation. Is it a sign the Indians would pursue a similarly bold path this summer under comparable circumstances and acquire the right-handed bat they need to match the Tigers' lineup? Or in putting Pomeranz and White in the same deal, do they lack the pieces to make a significant trade?
The bounty -- if you can call it that -- from the C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee trades is looking even more suspect in 2012, and hasn't offered many tradable commodities.
To date for Lee: two backups -- Lou Marson and Jason Donald. For Sabathia, there's Michael Brantley as a light-hitting outfielder in a corner power position. Matt LaPorta is likely headed for Triple-A on a team that covets right-handed power.
The price the Indians paid for Jimenez says they want and need him to be a Lee-Sabathia kind of starter. Antonetti won't put it in those terms, saying the Indians would like to see him become a "key contributor" in a playoff-worthy rotation.
But to think they could come out on the short end of this deal, too, could mean a shorter cycle of contention with a much higher degree of difficulty.
Re: Articles
1347Well the big market As beat us to another one-they signed manny. Of course we never needed him anyway. By the way one of the reasons they got the cuban was because they were going to get manny but of course no one likes manny.
Re: Articles
1348kenm: Manny went 1 for 17 (.059) in five games last season for Tampa Bay, then got suspended again for drug use. That's exactly what the Indians need now! I'm surprised that you are the only one who sees that!!
Re: Articles
1349J.R. wrote:kenm: Manny went 1 for 17 (.059) in five games last season for Tampa Bay, then got suspended again for drug use. That's exactly what the Indians need now! I'm surprised that you are the only one who sees that!!
Please respond to the last part of my post
Re: Articles
1350Another brilliant observation. It has nothing to do with his recent production, or continued use of banned substances, or difficulties in fitting in. It's b/c nobody likes him!kenm wrote: no one likes manny.